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Monday, March 15, 2010

Lewis meets the world

I want to teach my children to be thankful for all of our blessings. I want them to realize merely having a roof over our heads is a blessing, heat and running water - luxuries! I talk to my children about what a blessing it is to have books to read, books to learn from and how blessed they are to be educated. I remind them that many, many children around the world are not able to go to school and that many children go to bed hungry every night. I don't want to scare them but I want them to realize that the world they know is not the reality of many children.

After the earthquake in Haiti I was watching a sermon by Mark Driscoll on his trip there- I found myself crying at the end just as Lewis entered the room. Of course he asked why I was crying and I showed him some of the photos of Haiti. I have also shown him some photos from http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/ as they document their lives in Haiti. He has seen the crumbled buildings, tent villages, hurt children - he understands that many people lost their families and every night we pray for people around the world who are sad or suffering - that God would bring them peace.

A family that attends our church was in the process of adopting two children from Haiti when the earthquake hit. For days they didn't even know if the children were alive, but we all rejoiced when they heard the good news they were OK. Then came days and then weeks of questions concerning the adoption process and how it would proceed in the aftermath of the disaster. You can read more of the McMillian's story here http://seasaltmosaic.blogspot.com/ . The end result being Julie flew to the US with her kids, went to Haiti, brought her children home to the US, secured visas for them and now has her entire family together again in Italy (entire family being 3 biological children, 2 adopted children and one on the way!). She did most of this alone as her husband had to stay here in Italy and work. She is an amazing woman!!!!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting these children when the McMillians brought them to church. They were introduced to the congregation and everyone clapped with joy to see this beautiful family together. When Lewis asked why everyone was clapping I told him about Sousi and Seve and how the McMillians had adopted them from Haiti and now they were here, with us. His face lit up!!! And then he was really excited to learn Sousi was in his Sunday School class- he said "Mom, a girl all the way from Haiti sat next to me! She didn't talk much." I explained Sousi speaks Creole and will need help learning English and he said "I'll help". BIG smile from Mom.

Like I said, I don't scare my children but I let them see some of the rest of the world so they know what's going on. And this week, they were blessed enough to see a happy ending. God is good.

Notice most of this entry is about Lewis' reactions - William doesn't get it as much, being only 4.

Since I didn't write over the weekend I'll share 6 things I'm thankful for

1. I'm thankful Judy is coming for a visit in May.
2. I'm thankful Laurie is coming for a visit in September.
3. I'm thankful the McMillian family is together.
4. I'm thankful my children want to change the world.
5. I'm thankful for the opportunity to educate my children.
6. I'm thankful for the sun shining on my face this morning.